Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110720 Ver 1_As Built Report Revised_20111128 Strickland, Bev From: Merritt, Katie Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 4:26 PM To: Strickland, Bev Subject: FW: Forrest Crk UT2 Asbuilt Attachments: 2011-11-28 Forrest Creek UT2 -As Built - Revised.doc Bev, Please scan the attached document into 2011-0720v1 and save as As-Built Report Revised. I do not need a hard copy. Thank you, Katie From: Tommy Cousins [mailto:tommyCa�ebxusa.com] Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 4:09 PM To: Merritt, Katie Subject: FW: Forrest Crk UT2 Asbuilt The attached document should have the change you requested. Thanks! Tommy From: Merritt, Katie [mailto:katie.merrittC�ncdenr.aov] Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 3:49 PM To: Tommy Cousins Subject: RE: Forrest Crk UT2 Asbuilt Sorry Tommy, Actually, I did have one comment, I just forgot to mention that. Section 1.1, first paragraph: change sentence to read the following: This 5.71 acre Bank Parcel(1.31 acres of nutrient offset restoration areaJ is currently approved by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality for use as a nutrient mitigation bank. The USACE did approve a portion of this 5.71 acres as stream and wetland mitigation, but they don't approve or get involved with nutrient offset. Therefore, I removed the citation that included the USACE. Other than this slight change, I'm find with the rest of the report. If the engineer would like to make this change and submit only the page that reflects the change, that would be great. He can actually send it to me via .pdf instead of by mail. Thanks again, katie From: Merritt, Katie Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 3:42 PM To: 'Tommy Cousins' Subject: Forrest Crk UT2 Asbuilt Hi Tommy, 1 I have finally completed my review of the Forrest Creek UT-2 As-built report. I have no further comments to the revisions that were made. Thanl<s again, katie Katie Merritt Environmental Compliance Specialist & Nutrient Offset Coordinator Wetlands & Stormwater Branch Division of Water Quality Work: 919-807-6371 Website: http://portal.ncdenr.orq/web/wq/swp/ws/webscape Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the content is exempt by statute or other regulation. `'� Please consider the environment before printing this email. 2 Table of Contents L0 Introdu ction.....................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Project Location and Description.................................................................................................2 1.2 Project Goals and Objectives.......................................................................................................2 2.0 Project Area—Pre-Construction Condition Summaiy.......................................................................3 3.0 As Built Site Conditions ...................................................................................................................3 3.1 Restoration Plan..........................................................................................................................3 3.2 Vegetation Monitoring Plots........................................................................................................4 3.3 Photo Stations .............................................................................................................................� 4.0 Monitoring, Maintenance Plan, and Reporting .................................................................................5 �.0 References.......................................................................................................................................� Appendix A: Site Maps Figure 1: Site Location Map Figures 2A thru 2D: Conservation Easement Area Figure 3: As-Built Exhibit Appendix B: Ve�etation Assessment Data Table 1: Plant Species Summary Table 2: Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Table Table 3: Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species Appendix C: Ve�etation Monitorin� Plot Photos Appendix D: Ve�etation Monitorin� Plot Data Sheets Appendix E: Photo Station 1 �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 PNOject Location and Desc�iption Located off of Edmund Latta Road, just northwest of its intersection with Phelps Road in Orange County, North Carolina(Figure 1), is the proposed nutrient mitigation barilc currently lcnown as the Forrest Creelc UT-2 Banlc Parcel (Banlc Parcel). This 5.71 acre Banlc Parcel (1.31 acres of nutrient offset restoration area) is currently approved by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for use as a nutrient mitigation barilc. The Barilc Parcel is located on three (3) tracts of land in Orange County, North Carolina (Orange County Parcel Identification Numbers 9877207721, 9877520417, and 9876493633). More specifically, the Barilc Parcel is located in the northwestern corner of Parcel Number 9876493633, southeastern corner of Parcel Number 9877207721, and in the southwestern corner of Parcel Number 9877520417. The proposed Barilc Parcel is located within the Neuse River Basin, inside of the Upper Falls Lalce Watershed (8-digit USGS HCTC 03020201). Storinwater runoff from this site drains into an unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc (Stream Index #27-2-21-2-2). According to the N.C. Division of Water Quality Basinwide Information Management System (BIMS), Forrest Creek is classified as WS-II (Water Supply II); HQW (High Quality Waters), NSW (Nutrient Sensitive Waters) in this location. A conservation easement, totaling 5.71 acres (Figures 2A thru 2D), has been recorded on three (3) tracts of land containing the nutrient offset restoration area (Orange County Parcel Identification Numbers 9877207721, 9877520417, and 9876493633). The nutrient offset restoration area within the Banlc Parcel consists of 1.31 acres (Figure 3). The purpose of this Barilc Parcel is to improve water quality within the Neuse River Basin and Falls Lalce watersheds by providing off-site mitigation for both existing and proposed development requiring nutrient offsets. The Barilc Parcel will provide 2,977.63 lbs/acre of nitrogen and 191.781bs/acre of phosphorous nutrient offset credit. This Barilc Parcel shall be established under the terms and conditions of the Forrest Creelc UT-2 Proposed Nutrient Offset Restoration Area Barilc Parcel Development Package made and entered into by EBX-EM, LLC (EBX-EM), acting as the Banlc Sponsor, and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of Water Quality ��wQ)� 1.2 PNOject Goals and Objectives The goals of this nutrient offset mitigation project are to: - To improve the overall water quality and aquatic habitat in and around the unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc by reducing sediment into the streams caused by agricultural influences. - To improve the richness and diversity of the plant species within the conservation easement. - To provide perpetual protection for the unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc and associated Neuse River Riparian Buffer, as well as other riparian areas along Forrest Creelc. These goals will be met through the following objectives: - By establishing a native plant community to match the endemic plant species at the Banlc Parcel. 2 �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. - By reducing the quantities of exotic invasive species at the Banlc Parcel through chemical methods. - By establishing a conservation easement to provide long-term protection for the Barilc Parcel. - By donation of the conservation easement and all of its interests, in perpetuity, to an accredited or approved land trust or stewardship program. 2.0 Proiect Area—Pre-Construction Condition Summary The 5.71 acre Barilc Parcel contains an unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc located along the property boundary shared by the following Orange County Parcel Identification Numbers: 9877207721, 9877520417, and 9876493633. In general, the unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc is approximately 2,064 linear feet and is located along the northwestern property boundary of Orange County Parcel Identification Number 9876493633. Prior to construction of the restoration activities, the upper reach of the unnamed tributary of Forrest Creelc laciced riparian buffer along most of its length. Vegetative communities within the riparian areas located on north side of the stream are primarily active silviculture, while much of the southern riparian areas within the Banlc Parcel are primarily active pasture land. Pasture land areas are subject to periodic mowing, crop production (i.e. hay production), and cattle grazing. Pasture vegetation is a mixture of grasses and herbaceous species. The dominant grasses tend to be Johnson grass (,So�ghzzna haleper�s�e), bermuda grass (C'yr�odor� dactylor�) and various fescue species (Fes�tzzca spp.). There are some locations along the unnamed tributary in which there is a forest fringe. Due to historic agricultural activities surrounding the unnamed tributary, these fringe forested areas have been impacted by cattle grazing, and as a result, are fairly immature. Based on the remaining vegetative assemblages, the forest fringe areas are generally characterized as Piedmont Alluvial Forest according to the Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina (Schafale and Wealdey, 1990). Where areas of canopy and understory exist, native woody vegetation such as hacicberry (Celtis� laevigata), tulip poplar (Li��ioder�d��or� tzzlipife��a), sycamore (Platar�zzs� occider�talis�), eastern red cedar (�Izzr�ipe��zzs� vi�gir�iar�a) and sweetgum (Liqzzidanaba�� s�ty��aciflzza) can be found in the Banlc Parcel area. Most notable is a significant population of non-native, invasive species including privet (Lig7zs�t��zzna s�ir�er�s�e), multiflora rose (Ros�a nazzJtiflo��a), and Japanese honeysuclde (Lor�ice��a japor�ica) within the Banlc Parcel area, which are indicative of a disturbed forest community. 3.0 As Built Site Conditions 3.1 RestoNation Plan Construction of the Banlc Parcel began in April 2011 and ended in May 2011. Following construction, stalcing of photo stations and vegetation plots occurred. In addition, base line vegetation sampling occurred. All photographs and data are attached in the appendices. Pasture lands located outside forested areas within the Barilc Parcel area (i.e. buffer restoration area) were ripped and scarified prior to vegetation planting activities. The established microtopography on leveled surfaces will promote diffuse flow and surface water storage. In addition, subsurface hardpans were eliminated to promote vegetation growth/survival and to increase groundwater recharge rates. Grasses were treated with herbicide to reduce competition with planted species. Where necessary, invasive species were treated with herbicide to ensure they do not become dominant within the Barilc Parcel, or hinder the establishment, growth and survival of planted vegetation. -, ' �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. The nutrient offset restoration areas were planted with bare root seedlings consisting of bottomland hardwood species lcnown to inhabit the Piedmont Bottomland Forest community type as described in Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina. Table 1 (Appendix B) provides a listing of planted species and a summary of total stems planted within the Barilc Parcel site. A total of 2,500 individual species, or 1,909 stems per acre, were planted within the Banlc Parcel site which is within the desired range of 436 to 681 stems per acre according to the Forrest Creek UT-2 Proposed Nutrient Offset Restoration Area—Barilc Parcel Development Pacicage (EcoEngineering, May 2011). The list provided in the Forrest Creelc UT-2 Proposed Nutrient Offset Restoration Area — Banlc Parcel Development Pacicage was used as a guide in species selection. Due to stocic unavailability from local nurseries, changes were made on-site. The planted species were a mixture of hardwood tree species consistent with those found within a Piedmont Bottomland Forest community type. Plant composition consisted of six (6) tree species. The following are substitutions: eastern red cedar (�Izzr�ipe��zzs� vi�gir�iar�a, Tree), persimmon (Diospy��os� vi�gir�iar�a, Tree), mocicernut hicicory (Ca�ya tonaer�tos�a, Tree), eastern redbud (Ce��cis� car�ader�s�is�, Tree), willow oalc (Qzze��czzs� phellos�, Tree). The Banlc Sponsor will conduct Monitoring Year 1 field exercises during the fall of 2011, as further described in Section 3.2 and 3.3. At the conclusion of Monitoring Year 1, a determination will be made regarding the need for supplemental plantings, and at ��hich time, input from DWQ ��i11 be sought prior to developing a supplemental planting plan. If supplemental plantings are required, it will talce place between the months of February and April, 2012, and at which time, a minimum of three (3) additional shrub species listed in the Guidelines for Riparian Buffer Restoration (NCEEP, 2004) will be planted. Temporary and permanent native herbaceous seed was applied simultaneously to the nutrient offset restoration areas within the Barilc Parcel area. Temporary seed will provide cover until the permanent seed applied becomes established. Temporary cover consisted of millet (Echir�ochloa c��zzsgalli), annual rye grain (,Secale ce��eale), and crimson clover (Ti�ifolizzna ir�ca��r�atzzna). Permanent ground cover consisted of switchgrass (Par�iczzna vi�gatzzna), deertongue (Par�iczzna clar�des�tir�naar�), blacic-eyed susan (Rzzdbeckia hi��ta), and riverbanlc wildrye (Elynazzs���ipa��izzs�). 3.2 Vegetation Monito�ing Plots EcoEngineering permanently installed four (4) vegetation plots for future monitoring purposes. The locations of the plots are depicted on the As-Built Exhibit (Figure 3). The plots were installed randomly throughout the Bank Parcel and each are 100 square meters in size (10 meter by 10 meter square plots). Baseline vegetation monitoring was conducted in general accordance to CVS-EEP Protocol for Recordin�Ve et� ation (CVS-EEP, v4.2). Table 2 (Appendix B) provides a success summary for each vegetation monitoring plot. Based on the baseline vegetation monitoring, all four (4) vegetation monitoring plots were within the desired range of 436 to 681 stems per acre (Table 2). Table 3 (Appendix B) provides a more detailed summary of stem counts and the type of planted species within each vegetation monitoring plot. The number of stems planted per acre for each monitoring plot ranges from 1,133 stems to 2,307 stems. It should be noted that due to the lacic of leaf out conditions on most of the planted stems and on-site changes to plant composition associated with local nursery unavailability, the majority of the planted species within the monitoring plots were identified as "Urilcnown" and their location and size dimensions were recorded. The Barilc Sponsor will correctly identify the urilcnown species during the Monitoring Year 1 period. � �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. Vegetation monitoring plots were photographed and are located in Appendix C. Vegetation Monitoring Plot Data Sheets are provided in Appendix D. Each Vegetation Monitoring Plot Data Sheet provides measurements, location, and vigor of each planted species within a respective vegetation monitoring plot. 3.3 Photo.S'tations Photo documentation is essential to monitoring the success the Barilc Parcel. Photos provide a visual assessment of the vegetation conditions. EcoEngineering permanently installed seven (7) photo stations for future monitoring purposes. The location of the photo stations and their direction are depicted on Figure 3 (Appendix A). Photographs for the photo stations are located in Appendix E. 4.0 Monitorin�, Maintenance Plan, and Reportin� The Barilc Parcel site will be monitored for five (5) consecutive years or until the required success criteria has been met as determined by DWQ. Monitoring Year 1 field exercises will begin during the fall of 2011. Supplemental planting and additional site modifications will be implemented, if necessary, after a determination has been made regarding the success of the project following each monitoring year. Monitoring activities will follow the terms and conditions of the Banlc made and entered into by EBX-EM and DWQ. The four (4) vegetative monitoring plots will be monitored in accordance with the CVS-EEP Protocol for Recordin� Ve et� ation. A monitoring report will be submitted annually to DWQ no later than December 31 of each monitoring year describing the conditions of the Barilc Parcel and relating those conditions to the success criteria. The target density for the riparian buffer is a minimum of 320 trees and shrubs per acre at the end of the five (5) year monitoring period. Vegetation monitoring will occur between August and October. A determination will be made regarding the success of the project following the collection and evaluation of ecological and physical monitoring data, photographs, and site observations. 5.0 References EcoEngineering— A division of The John R McAdams Company, Inc. May 201 L Fo����es�t C��eek UT-2 P��opos�ed Nzzt��ier�t Offs�et Res�to��atior�A��ea—Bar�k Pa��cel Developnaer�t Package. Lee Michael T., Peet Robert K, Roberts Steven D., and Wentworth Thomas R., 2008. Cy;S-EEP P��otocol fo��Reco��dir�g yegetatior�Level. Version 4.2 North Carolina Ecosystein Enhancement Program (NCEEP) 2004. Uzzidelir�es�fot�Ripat�iar� Bzzffe��Res�to��atior�. Available at internet site: http://www.nceep.net/news/reports/buffers.pdf. Accessed August 2009. Schafale MP and AS Wealdey. 1990. Class�ificatior� of the Natzz��al Conanazzr�ities� of No��th C'a��olir�a: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parlcs and Recreation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. ' �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. APPENDIX A Site Maps h �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. APPENDIX B Vegetation Assessment Data ' �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. APPENDIX C Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos g �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. APPENDIX D Vegetation Monitoring Data Sheets 9 �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc. APPENDIX E Photo Stations �o �EcoEngineering A division of The John R.McAdams Company,Inc.